Drugs could provide new treatment for epilepsy

21 November 2012

New drugs derived
from components of a specific diet used by children with severe, drug-resistant
epilepsy could offer a new treatment, according to research published today in
the journal Neuropharmacology.

Scientists from
UCL and Royal Holloway have identified specific fatty acids that have potent
antiepileptic effects, which could help control seizures in children and adults.

The discovery could
lead to the replacement of the ketogenic diet, which is often prescribed for
children with severe drug-resistant epilepsy. The high fat, low carbohydrate
diet is thought to mimic aspects of starvation by forcing the body to burn fats
rather than carbohydrates. Although often effective, the diet has attracted
criticism, as side effects can be significant and potentially lead to
constipation, hypoglycaemia, retarded growth and bone fractures. The new drugs
could provide similar epilepsy control, but without causing the troubling side
effects.

By pinpointing
fatty acids in the ketogenic diet that are effective in controlling epilepsy,
researchers hope that they can develop a pill for children and adults that lacks
the side effects of the diet.

Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide and approximately a third of these people have epilepsy that is not adequately controlled by our present treatments. This discovery offers a whole new approach to the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies in children and adults.

Professor Matthew Walker, UCL Institute of Neurology

Professor Robin
Williams from the Centre of Biomedical Sciences at Royal Holloway said: “This
is an important breakthrough. The family of medium chain fatty acids that we
have identified provide an exciting new field of research with the potential of
identifying, stronger, and safer epilepsy treatments.”

The study tested
a range of fatty acids found in the ketogenic diet against an established
epilepsy treatment. Researchers found that not only did some of the fatty acids
outperform the drug in controlling seizures, they also had fewer side effects.

Professor Matthew
Walker from the UCL Institute of Neurology said: “Epilepsy affects over 50
million people worldwide and approximately a third of these people have
epilepsy that is not adequately controlled by our present treatments. This
discovery offers a whole new approach to the treatment of drug-resistant
epilepsies in children and adults.”

The research also builds on work funded by the NC3Rs in
which most of the animal testing normally used in drug development for epilepsy
has been replaced by using a simple amoeba to initially screen and identify
improved treatments.

Professor Williams added: “Animals are often used in the
search for new epilepsy treatments. Our work provides a new approach, helping
us to reduce reliance on animals and provide potential major improvements in human health.”

The specific fatty acids identified in this work are the
subject of a patent application, and Royal Holloway is seeking commercial
collaborators to pursue the potential for new drug development.